Canadutch
On Correr Es Mi Destino, fellow expat Zhu wrote about Stuff Canadians Like. She is sort of the opposite of me, having gone from Europe to Canada and having to get used to my country’s customs and weird ways. I have to admit, I like pretty much everything she listed.
It made me think of what would be on a list of Stuff Dutchies Like, so here it is…
1. DROP
In Canada we know this stuff as Licorice and we usually eat it in the red variety like Twizzlers. Here in the Netherlands Drop is a favorite among all snacks. Personally I think it tastes like ass. Imagine the taste of black jelly beans or the black licorice we get in Canada only twice as rank. There are many Dutchies who would argue with me though and swear it’s orgasm in a bag. I think they are clearly mistaken, I mean… there’s not even any chocolate in it!
2. Football
Not American football, pretty sure there aren’t a lot of Dutchies into that. I mean Soccer. The Dutch live, sleep, eat and breathe the stuff. The locals here in Rotterdam are completely obsessed with Feyenoord, which is our local team. The football thing is kind of infectious though and even I have found myself watching games and cheering during the World Cup. It’s always short lived though, once I realize I could have been watching Grey’s Anatomy instead.
3. Bicycles
The people here in the Netherlands love their bicycles so much that often the lock they buy to protect it costs more than the bike itself. There is so much bicycle theft here (between 50,000 – 80,000 bicycles per year) that some cities have even set up programs where you can ‘share’ bicycles. You pick a bike up in one location, ride it to where you are going and leave it at another designated location nearby. If you haven’t had at least one bike stolen you just aren’t considered to be Dutch. I’ve never had a bike stolen but that’s probably because mine has only been out of the basement about 2-3 times. The Dutch get a lot of pleasure out of biking, but all I got was a sore ass. That may have something to do with it being twice the size of theirs.
4. Flowers
This is one love that I share with the people here, or rather, one that has rubbed off on me. They LOVE flowers! Everyone has flowers and plants all throughout their homes. Everywhere you look there’s flowers in people’s gardens or growing wild. It’s really beautiful. The good thing is that flowers aren’t nearly as expensive here as in Canada. So my hubby can pick me up flowers anytime without having to spend a fortune. I remember when I lived back home flowers were strictly a special occasion thing, now I get them all the time!
5. Fierljeppen
Ok so I’m pretty sure this isn’t a country-wide thing but I had to add it because the Friesians are Dutch and they love it so it still counts! Plus, I saw it on TV once and thought it was wild and wanted to add it. Fierljeppen is this crazy-ass sport where people shimmy up this long pole while trying to stop it from tipping over. This takes place over a body of water and in the end the pole tips and they land on the other side. Obviously, I’m crap at explaining it since I’ve only seen it on TV once but here is a video so you can see it for yourself. This is the current record holder, I think.
6. Herring
Sweet Jesus, the herring stalls. Whenever I see them I cringe because it’s just so incredibly foul. In all honesty I have no idea what they do with this herring, but I believe it’s pickled. Don’t quote me on that though. Anyhow, it looks like just a dead fish on a plate covered in onions. The Dutch just pick it up by the tail, tilt their heads back and DOWN THE FRIGGIN HATCH! I’ve never seen anything like it. They look like sea lions or something, it’s gross. Some try to do it the human way and put the fish in a bun and then hide it with a mountain of onions, but really, it’s like a wino putting the bottle in a paper bag. Everyone still knows what they are eating.
There’s heaps more things that the Dutch like but I’ll save them for later. I’d hate to let out all their weirdness in one go.
Hehehhee:)
I recog a lot of stuff in there.
We live a similar situation but this time the hubby came from Amsterdam to immigrate to Qc, Canada)
DORAs last blog post… Meerkat babies
I am Dutch myself.
Drop is an acquired taste, and isn’t good for your blood pressure. But I still like it. In moderation.
I do not see the charm in football at all.
Flowers only die in my hands.
Fierljeppen looks cool, but I’ve never really done it.
The rest is ok, I guess 8-)
Some Canadians live, sleep and breathe for hockey. I found you randomly, so hello:)
bluefishs last blog post… The plan
I once fed that ‘drop’ to crows, they flew off and didn’t eat it. That tells it’s own story.
It is SO not like licorice.
…and.. that’s my herring stand!
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post… I can’t get off
I totally despise the black licorice. hate it. abhor it. I don’t think I could ever stomach any of that stuff.
That’s too bad that there is so much theft, but I am intrigued by the renting the bikes thing. that’s pretty cool. I wonder if the japanese do that. They probably should!
yoshis last blog post… Not much to say
No “drops” for me, just twizzlers thanx!
Drop is just nasty and my husband eats it by the bucket loads. I cant do the herring yet either..gotta have my fish breaded atleast. I love the flowers here and how much cheaper they are to get and the variety is the nicest I have ever seen.
Canucky Woman – You are SO RIGHT! Now that I think of it, it is a lot like Buckleys. So strong and BLEH, it’s gross. My husband eats it by the ton though!
Zhu – mmmm Beaver Tails! You’ll have to add that to your next list because Canadian LOVE Beaver Tails! I’m sure if someone were to open a stand for those in Amsterdam they’d sell like mad too. Maybe that’s what I should do, introduce Beaver Tails to the Netherlands!
You really can’t compare drop to licorice, Breigh. The best comparison I can make is to Buckley’s Mixture — you know, the cough medicine in Canada that “tastes bad, but it works”? (It did and it didn’t, btw, lol)
As for herring, I confess, I like the stuff. But I used to offend my entire family eating kippers back in Canada. I’m a major fish person. I figure with all the omega 3s, I’m going to have skin as smooth as a baby’s ass when I’m 90!
Canucky Womans last blog post… It’s all good *crosses fingers*
I agree with you on the drops, I tried my first one years back with some friends and had tears in my eyes trying to keep it in my mouth long enough so it wouldn’t seem insulting to spit it out. As for the herring, I have not and will not ever try that stuff. I don’t care if it is required for my residence permit, I’ll move back to Canada first. My bf finally tried herring after living there for 20 years. The look on his face is priceless! I got over my fear of the bicycle when I got mine and now I enjoy it. Especially since getting to Ikea from where I live is a straight road and I can go shopping while he works! :D And who can not love the fact that flowers are so cheap! I get so excited when the ones at home are starting to wilt just slightly (as in a millimeter of brown on leaves) so I can buy more!
But as for sports, my Canadian blood still is strong bring on Hockey any day!! :)
Melissas last blog post… Ok… So I’m a little slow.
Oh this is so funny!
I can’t related because I don’t know Dutch culture much (others than when I was a European, taking the train to er… get high or trying to — I know it’s bad!). But I can relate to your “culture shock”!
The Fierljeppen (yes, I had to copy/ paste the name :lol:) is the most insane thing I have never heard. I mean, more than hockey fights.
The Herring… makes me think of when I first came to Canada, I saw “Beaver Tails” everywhere and thought they were actual beaver tails :lol:
I know about the bicycle and the flowers things (cf. Tulip Festival in Ottawa).
Thanks for doing the meme!
Zhus last blog post… Tweak Your Blog (6/10)
I am with you on black licorice. I never could stomach the stuff, let alone think that it is a orgasm in a bag. Ther herring sounds okay, but I am definitely a fish eater.
Ambers last blog post… The Netherlands, day 5: Amsterdam
I LOVED this, even though I’ve grown up in Canada, I find that I am very dutch, except for 2 and 5, and I eat herring with a little less smaak.
micheles last blog post… Sweet Gavin